# NTSB CHI99LA192: Russell Sport Trainer, N57HR, Ft. Calhoun, NE, June 14, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 14, 1999, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Ft. Calhoun, NE - Coordinates: 41.450489, -96.020957 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4505&lon=-96.0210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 13, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46618 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA192 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46618/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA192 ## Probable cause the pilot used an improper engine starting procedure in that he failed to reduce the throttle setting and to assure the airplane was adequately secured prior to starting. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, standing - starting engine(s) - misc eqpt/furnishings,wheel chocks - inadequate (cause) - throttle/power control - improper, pilot in command (cause) - starting procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause) - aircraft unattended/engine(s) running - On ground/water collision with object, taxi - object - hangar/airport building (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot chocked the left main gear and pulled the propeller through four times in an attempt to get the engine started. He was unable to start the engine and decided it was flooded. He went into the cockpit, opened the throttle and turned the magnetos off. He then pulled the propeller through in the opposite direction to clear the engine. He went back to the cockpit and turned the magnetos on, but forgot to reduce the throttle setting. He pulled the propeller through again and the engine started. The airplane turned to the left and traveled about 50 feet prior to contacting a hangar and coming to a stop. ## Factual narrative On June 14, 1999, at 1500 central daylight time (cdt), a Russell Sport Trainer, N57HR, contacted the pilot and airport hangars, while being hand propped at a Bil-Lo Field, in Ft. Calhoun, Nebraska. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was starting the airplane with the intention of making a local flight. The pilot stated the airplane was parked facing east with buildings on both the north and south side of it. He chocked the left wheel of the airplane and attempted to start the engine. He reported, "After four attempts at pulling the prop to start it, I decided the engine was flooded. I went to the cab and shut off the magnetos and opened the throttle. I then went to the front of the plane and reversed the direction of the pull of the prop hoping to drain the engine. After completing the four pulls in the opposite direction I went to the cab of the plane and turned the magnetos back on and failed to shut the throttle down." The pilot once again pulled the propeller through and the engine started. The airplane turned to the north and traveled approximately 50 feet prior to contacting a hangar and coming to a stop. The pilot reported, "There were two mistakes: (1) I should have had both wheels chalked and (2) I should have remembered to shut down the throttle when I went back for the second attempt to start the engine." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N57HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57HR-2015-05-05), registration cancelled 2015-05-05, S/N 1357 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Russell SPORT TRAINER (SPORT TRAI) - Registry model: [Russell Harold SPORT TRAINER](https://openairdocs.org/model/russell-harold-sport-trainer) (registry code 05655ZF) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1357 - Airframe hours: 250 - Engines: Franklin 90 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Harold Russell - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1999, 50 hours before - Departed: 95Y - Destination: 95Y - Airport: PVT, Bil-Lo Field ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19990614007469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990614007469A), Jun 14, 1999: Ft Calhoun, NE, Substantial damage. Pilot was hand-proping the acft, the engine started, and the acft crashed and sustained substantial damage, other circumstances are unknown. (-23) while hand… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.